August 1863

Federal attention turned to Tennessee as William Rosecrans threatened Braxton Bragg’s Confederates at Chattanooga. Federal naval forces continued their bombardment of Charleston, the major armies in Virginia continued licking their wounds, and a vicious raid occurred in Kansas.

Defending Charleston to the Last Extremity

Federal army-navy forces continue working to capture Morris Island at the southern entrance to Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.

From Spencer G. Welch, 13th South Carolina

Letter from Dr. Spencer G. Welch, a surgeon with the 13th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry.

Post-Vicksburg: Grant’s Army Reduced

Ulysses S. Grant’s Federal army is reduced following the capture of Vicksburg, despite Grant’s urgings that the next target should be Mobile.

Federals Raid Into West Virginia

William W. Averell initiates another Federal raid into West Virginia, which culminates in an engagement at White Sulphur Springs.

Not Watching with an Evil Eye

Braxton Bragg and his Confederate army look to take back Middle Tennessee, while the Lincoln administration continues pressuring William S. Rosecrans to advance.

The Federal Draft Must Go On

President Abraham Lincoln rejects New York Governor Horatio Seymour’s request to suspend the military draft in his state.

Lee Submits His Resignation

Robert E. Lee submits his resignation as commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to President Jefferson Davis.

Forestalling the Public Judgment

Confederate President Jefferson Davis tries to regroup after the disastrous loss of the Mississippi River, which includes consoling John C. Pemberton for having surrendered his army at Vicksburg.

I Am Going to Lawrence

Thomas Ewing incurs the wrath of Confederate raiders operating along the Missouri-Kansas border by targeting their relatives, including women and children.

The Chattanooga Campaign Begins

William S. Rosecrans’s Federal Army of the Cumberland finally begins moving out of Tullahoma to capture the vital railroad city of Chattanooga.

The Fort Sumter Bombardment

Federal heavy artillery opens fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, while Federal naval vessels begin bombarding Battery Wagner on Morris Island to the south.

Federals Target Little Rock

A Federal force led by Frederick Steele advances westward from Helena, Arkansas, to capture the state capital of Little Rock.

The Knoxville Campaign Begins

Ambrose Burnside finally puts his Federal Army of the Ohio in motion in an effort to capture Knoxville in eastern Tennessee.

The Sack of Lawrence

William C. Quantrill’s Confederate raiders rampage through Lawrence, the focal point of “Bleeding Kansas” since before the war.

The Swamp Angel Terrorizes Charleston

Federals unleash the destructive cannon nicknamed the “Swamp Angel” on the people of Charleston, South Carolina, and Confederates object to waging war on civilians.

The Practical Demolition of Fort Sumter

The Federal bombardment of Fort Sumter and Batteries Wagner and Gregg in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, temporarily halts.

The Burnt District

Thomas Ewing, commanding the Federal District of the Border between Missouri and Kansas, issues repressive orders that threaten to escalate the bitter partisan war in the region even further.

The Federal Approach to Little Rock Continues

Federal forces slowly advance toward the Arkansas capital of Little Rock, while Confederate defenders struggle to maintain control of the city.

Five in One Coffin

The experimental Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sinks in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.

Federals Close in on Chattanooga

Federal artillery opens fire on Chattanooga, as William S. Rosecrans tries enveloping the vital railroad city.

Northern Virginia and the Confederate Strategy Conference

Robert E. Lee attends a conference with President Jefferson Davis at Richmond to discuss upcoming Confederate strategy in Virginia and elsewhere, while Lee’s top lieutenant has ideas of his own.


Last Updated: 9/6/2023

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